Mobile device tracking prevention method and system
First Claim
1. A mobile device tracking prevention method, comprising:
- using a mobile device to receive data being broadcasted via at least one network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the at least one network access point, the broadcasted data including at least one service set identifier (“
SSID”
) that corresponds to a network access point of the at least one network access point;
monitoring, using the wireless module, for at least one change to the broadcasted data occurring within a predefined time, the at least one change to the broadcasted data including a change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and
automatically controlling an operating state of the wireless module such that the module is enabled in the absence of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data, and is disabled on detection of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile device tracking prevention method and system includes monitoring a mobile device for movement, determining whether an operating state of a wireless module of the mobile device should be adjusted when movement of the mobile device is detected, and controlling the operating state of the wireless module based on the determination. One or more of the actual geographic location of the mobile device, network IDs broadcasted by nearby network access points, and signal strengths of the access points as detected by the mobile device can be monitored to detect movement of the mobile device. Changes to any of these may be indicative of movement of the mobile device, which may serve as the basis for enabling or disabling the wireless module to prevent tracking of the mobile device without sacrificing user productivity.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A mobile device tracking prevention method, comprising:
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using a mobile device to receive data being broadcasted via at least one network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the at least one network access point, the broadcasted data including at least one service set identifier (“
SSID”
) that corresponds to a network access point of the at least one network access point;monitoring, using the wireless module, for at least one change to the broadcasted data occurring within a predefined time, the at least one change to the broadcasted data including a change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and automatically controlling an operating state of the wireless module such that the module is enabled in the absence of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data, and is disabled on detection of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A mobile device tracking prevention method, comprising:
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monitoring the geographic location of a mobile device with respect to a signal coverage area of a trusted network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the trusted access point, the trusted access point being associated with an SSID, the monitoring being effected based at least in part on the SSIDs included in broadcasted data received at the wireless module; detecting changes to the geographic location of the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device has one of exited and entered the signal coverage area, the changes including at least one change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and automatically controlling an operating state of the wireless module based on the detected changes such that the wireless module is enabled when the mobile device enters the signal coverage area, and disabled when the mobile device exits the signal coverage area so as to be incapable of communicating with any public access points while the mobile device is outside of the signal coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory medium storing computer executable program logic to cause at least one data processing device of a mobile device to:
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receive data being broadcasted via at least one network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the at least one network access point, the broadcasted data including at least one SSID that corresponds to a network access point of the at least one network access point; monitor for at least one change to the broadcasted data occurring within a predefined time, the at least one change to the broadcasted data including a change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and automatically control an operating state of the wireless module such that the module is enabled in the absence of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data, and is disabled on detection of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data.
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21. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory medium storing computer executable program logic to cause at least one data processing device of a mobile device to:
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monitor the geographic location of the mobile device with respect to a signal coverage area of a trusted network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the trusted access point, the trusted access point being associated with an SSID, the monitoring being effected based at least in part on the SSIDs included in broadcasted data received at the wireless module; detect changes to the geographic location of the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device has one of exited and entered the signal coverage area, the changes including at least one change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and automatically control an operating state of the wireless module based on the detected changes such that the wireless module is enabled when the mobile device enters the signal coverage area, and disabled when the mobile device exits the signal coverage area so as to be incapable of communicating with any public access points while the mobile device is outside of the signal coverage area.
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22. A mobile device tracking prevention system, comprising:
at least one data processing device of a mobile device, configured to; receive data being broadcasted via at least one network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the at least one network access point, the broadcasted data including at least one SSID that corresponds to a network access point of the at least one network access point; monitor for at least one change to the broadcasted data occurring within a predefined time, the at least one change including a change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and automatically control an operating state of the wireless module such that the module is enabled in the absence of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data, and is disabled on detection of the change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data.
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23. A mobile device tracking prevention system, comprising:
at least one data processing device of a mobile device, configured to; monitor the geographic location of the mobile device with respect to a signal coverage area of a trusted network access point, the mobile device having a wireless module configured to access the trusted network access point, the trusted access point being associated with an SSID, the monitoring being effected based at least in part on the SSIDs included in broadcasted data received at the wireless module; detect changes to the geographic location of the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device has one of exited and entered the signal coverage area, the changes including at least one change in the total number of SSIDs included in the broadcasted data; and automatically control an operating state of the wireless module based on the detected changes such that the wireless module is enabled when the mobile device enters the signal coverage area, and disabled when the mobile device exits the signal coverage area so as to be incapable of communicating with any public access points while the mobile device is outside of the signal coverage area.
Specification